View Full Version : Ideas for a 4 week stay
Mrs Brizzle
29-12-2007, 15:11
I want to pick your collective brains if I may.
We are starting to plan for a trip next December when we have booked a trip for a stay of 4 weeks. We will be celebrating our tenth wedding anniversary while we are there and our eldest daughters 9th birthday as well as Christmas and New Year so I looking for ideas for special treats as well as what we could do with so much time in our favourite place [msnsmile2]
We love the parks but have yet to venture out of Orlando so could do a few days elsewhere - ideas anyone?
Fort de Soto on the Gulf Coast (just past Terra Vierde) has a great beach, visit Treasure Island and take a trip around the area on an amphibious vehicle, the trip is part land, part water.
Why not split your time between the Gulf Coast and Orlando. There are several villas for rent on the Gulf Coast advertised on this site and December is lovely time to spend by the coast.
I have to agree with Clare, split the 4 weeks into a 2 center vacation that way you will get to see lots more of Florida & the Gulf coast is great in December.
Lynne
mfairhurst
30-12-2007, 02:46
We are in the GULF COAST now and the weather has been very warm for 2 weeks so may be doing ORLANDO for 2 weeks and GULF COAST for the other 2 weeks is a good advise as said before .
We are staying We are staying at the GRAND PLAZA BEACH CLUB on ST PETES BEACH and right on the beach so can walk onto the snow white beach each day also the restaurants are walking distance ,We have been to Skidders Restaurant it is owned by a greek man and the meals are very good .
Hope you enjoy your wedding anniversary .
MAUREEN
www.onlinefloridavillas.com/villas/1683.aspx
Why not book a cruise whilst in Florida? The prices in early December are very reasonable especially if booked within 90 days. We had a 4 night cruise to Coco Cay and Key West for £256 for the two of us - this includes everything but excursions, alcohol and tips. Choose one where the formal night falls on your anniversary for an extra special theme. Also the cruise companies always have extra special treats as an extra. There was plenty of entertainment for both the children and adults on board even a rock climbing wall (Royal Caribbean Enchantment of the Seas). There are other cruise lines which cater for children - Disney being just one of them.
Mrs Brizzle
30-12-2007, 13:23
Thanks for the suggestions guys,I will look at the amphibious vehcle, a stay on the gulf coast and the cruise ships. I think 2 weeks will be a bit long for the children though as if the weather is bad there is no Disney to fall back on , we were thinking more 3 or 4 days and leavng the bulk of our stuff in the villa and just taking a small case. We will also have 3 children in tow including an infant so I will have to see if there are any age restrictions on the amphibious vehicle. Many thanks and any other ideas welcome.
How about a trip to Crystal Springs to see the Manatees, December would be an ideal time as they tend to head for the warmer waters in winter
You may well find minimum rental times on Gulf Coast properties so check with the owner if you decide to go down that route.
Mrs Brizzle
30-12-2007, 15:07
thanks Clare, we are thinking more a luxury type hotel for those few days as we have a villa booked for the main part of the trip. We are looking at staying at maybe one of the delux Disney Hotels with kids clubs for the children and within walking distance of a drink and meal for us but I also fancy Maureens beach club idea and also a cruise but not sure if it would be boring as we have never cruised.
We've never found cruising boring. There is lots to do on the cruise ships and to quote Royal Caribbean's something for everyone.
"From children to grandparents, a
Royal Caribbean cruise is the perfect holiday no matter what age you are. Our Adventure Ocean® Youth Programme is great for children and there's a choice of entertainment options for adults day and night, from shopping to the theatre, the casino to state-of-the-art fitness facilities, pampering spas and a huge variety of dining venues to suit every taste. "
We would expect all the major cruise companies to have something similar.
Whatever you decide, we're sure that you'll have a wonderful time and have fun planning it all.
orlandodaze
31-12-2007, 04:42
You could take a trip up to St.Augustine , the oldest city in the USA its about200 miles from Orlando and well worth an overnight trip . Last year we got really adventerous and went even further North into Georgia and visited Savannah, a wonderful old Southern city steeped in history.
Mo Green
31-12-2007, 17:35
If you go north in December it will be much colder. We went to St. Augustine in December and although it was lovely seeing it with the Christmas decorations it was quite cold. We needed thick sweaters and jeans.
If you stayed in the Rotonda area on the Gulf Coast the December temperatures are much warmer (currently in the mid 80's). Most of the villas on this site in that area are stunning and would give you lots of advantages a hotel could not provide - plenty of space so you are not confined to a bedroom once the children are in bed, your own private pool, alfresco meals sitting by the pool.
There are plenty of restaurants in the area offering 'Sun-set specials' if you want to eat early with the children. The locals always go to town with Christmas lights and there are boat trips along the canals at Punta Gorda to see the Christmas lights.
It is several years since our children were under 10 but having tried luxury hotels and villas at that stage I know which I would prefer for a relaxing holiday.
Mo
We always feel that more 'down time' just relaxing by the pool at the villa is worth having - the children think this too.
Don't try and cram everything in. Lotd of nice days with lots of empty days in between would be my ideal.
A day trip to the space coast beaches is quite easy - it's only an hours drive. A nice show such as cirque du soleil would be on my list.
How about a ballooon trip?
steph_goodrum
31-12-2007, 19:50
We've been over here for CXhristmas and New Year and the neighbours next door think it is wonderful to be able to sit by the pool relaxing whilst the children are enjoying the water (it;s been really warm about 15 degrees above average most days). It makes a change from charging round the parks as they are open such long hours at the moment they tend to be more hectic days.
You could spread out your visits to the parks in 4 weeks. This would mean you actually recharge your batteries while you are there. Doing the parks every day does mean you have not much time to enjoy the rest of ehat is on offer in the Olrando area.
You could do one of the Disney character dinners/lunches for your little ones birthday. Maybe with her fave character? If you tell them when you book it that it is a special occasion they will bring out a little cupcake with a candle. You can also order a proper cake through them which they will bring out.
Also you can get a Disney Birthday badge for her to wear to get a little special attention.
L
I think that if you have been in a villa for the first part of your holiday you will find it difficult to adjust to a hotel room if you go down to the coast. Having been used to plenty of space, more than one bathroom and TV, your own pool and plenty of restaurants nearby if you don't want to cook, then I think you will find being in one cramped hotel room quite difficult, no matter how luxurious it is.
There are some fabulous villas on the Gulf Coast and the beaches are beautiful. There is plenty to do down there such as boat trips to see the manatees, plus lots of restaurants to choose from. I would definitely try a villa as I am sure the children will enjoy all the benefits - and if they are happy then you will be too.
Mrs Brizzle
01-01-2008, 01:32
Thanks for all your input guys, it looks highly likely we will be booking a 3 night Disney cruise for our special treat, just crunching some numbers to get the best deal possible.
We have a villa booked for the rest of the time and will hopefully do a few daytrips here and there to the places you have mentioned as well as lots and lots of swimming and relaxing.
We will have Disney annual passes so we will dip in and out of the parks as we fancy.
Thanks once again and Happy New Year [beer][cheers][party2][high5]